Man's best friend has been - gasp - keeping secrets from us for centuries! These secrets would likely not see the light of day if it were not for 11 courageous canines that revealed them to the world in this tell-all book Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You to Know by Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson, with art directions by Dean Stefanides.

If you ever wondered why dogs still eat the furniture when there are plenty of chew toys nearby, why they dash to a rug when they have to throw up, or what they really think of the name you gave them, this book is the answer.

A few examples:

Dear Human:

Your dog probably puzzles you. Most of us do that. And most of us would like to keep things as they are: humans in the dark, dogs with the upper hand.

But we dogs are about to let you in a little secret. Okay, a lot of secrets.

We graduated first in our obedience class three times. This should tell you something.

Puppies know that they're being cute. They're using you.

We don't sound anything like those silly voices you use to imitate us.

We hate those ridiculous names you give some of us. Moonbeam is not a dignified name for a mutt.

You might want to check your herb garden for fertilizer.

We are only wearing this stupid birthday hat so we can get some cake. No self-respecting dog cares about his birthday.

We are not spoiled, certainly not in comparison to teenage girls.

We are in charge of the house. We let you pretend that you are.

We'd be lost without you. We love you.

It's all in our new book, Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You To Know, as told to humans Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson. Even Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin) raves about us! Inside you'll find revelations such as the reason we at the sofa (leather tastes very similar to rawhide), and what we really think of the costumes you dress us up in.

I'm not alone. Ten other courageous canines have stepped forward to tell you what your dog won't – every last dirty, hairy bit of it. If you have dogs, love dogs, or have ever been baffled by a dog, this book is a must-have.